Apple is working to fix a defect discovered by a 14-year-old boy

Apple Inc., the US technology giant, has apologized for a major flaw in iPhone devices that allows callers to access the microphone and front camera of the receiver's iPhone before answering the phone.

14-year-old Grant Thompson, Arizona, discovered the defect that could turn iPhone's devices into listening devices using Apple's TimeTime program for voice and video conversations.

"We deeply apologize to our customers who have been affected, and everyone who is concerned about this security issue, and we appreciate the patience of everyone as we finish this process," Apple said in a statement.

"We thank the Thomson family for reporting the defect," Apple said.

The company faces charges of not responding quickly to the defect and the Thomson family trying to let her know.

Apple said it was "quick" and "committed to improving the process by which we receive and process those reports in order to reach the right people as soon as possible."

The "TimeTime" scandal came after Apple reported a third-quarter profit and revenue drop on Tuesday, reflecting a slowdown in iPhone sales in China.

Grant Thomson, the American student, discovered this flaw on January 19, saying: "I just wanted to communicate with my friends through the contact feature of the photographer if they wanted to play with me in Fortnight."

Thompson is a 14-year-old boy living in Tucson, Arizona, a basketball player in his area where he has been a volunteer in many social services.

"I called my first friend Nathan, and I could not communicate with him. I added another friend to me, Diego, and the second I added forced my friend Nathan to call the call immediately without his permission, or without clicking the accept button."

The boy said he hoped the reward for discovering the privacy breach would be rewarded by Apple, based in Cupertino, California.